Good morning! It’s World Bee Day, a day first designated in 2017 by the United Nations to recognize the importance of bees because of their role as pollinators. Did you know that nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend at least in part on animal pollination, along with more than 75% of the world’s food crops and 35% of global agricultural land?
I depend on them for my garden, but I’m also a bit unnerved by the idea of keeping bees. I elect, instead, to put up pollinator hotels, garden without pesticides, and plant a variety of pollinator-friendly flowers. Here are some suggested activities for you on World Bee Day, if you’re so inclined.
And now, the news!
Pat Conroy
- State data shows that hospitalizations for COVID-19 are down by a third in Georgia.
- UGA’s College of Public Health is trying to forecast the next COVID-19 hotspots for the state before they happen. See their vulnerability index map here.
- With state revenues way down, state agencies are facing up to 12 furlough days per employee.
- How University System of Georgia campuses are planning for fall.
- Despite higher parking fees, Tybee Island saw holiday-level traffic last weekend.
- Speaking of Tybee, it’s been named one of the nation’s Best Restored Beaches by American Shore and Beach Preservation Association.
Alice Walker
- Goldman Sachs economist Blake Taylor’s data shows that states that “reopened” didn’t see much of an economic boost compared to others that did not. As a whole, however, the U.S. is on an upward shift economically.
- The Centers for Disease Control was finally allowed to release its guidance for reopening, now that several states have already done so.
- A federal judge in Texas has ruled that fear of COVID-19 is a valid reason to vote by mail in that state.
- A study out of Hong Kong using hamsters has found that wearing masks can reduce the transmission of COVID-19 by 75%.
- Getting the promised help from broadband companies during this pandemic has often been difficult and frustrating for poor Americans.
Flannery O’Connor
- A Virginia strip club is offering drive-through pole dances to meet social distancing guidelines.